Before I went to Monster’s pizza on Monday night, I had already decided I was going to hate it.
Fortunately, the Strip’s newest pizza joint forced me to retract my hasty judgment.
From the outside, Monster Pizza appears to be the basement of the Walgreen’s shopping complex. On the inside — it still kind of looks like a basement. But it looks like a basement that your friend with the cool parents let you all have as your own.
Movie poster prints, hand painted wall murals and arcade games decorate the single room. Two tall tables surrounded by bar stools provide the solitary seating. As I stepped up to order, I could see the entire kitchen in front of me, separated from the main room only by a small counter.
I loved it.
The best part? The price. I ate three slices of pizza and got a drink for $6. A classic cheese, a BBQ pork and an off-the-menu buffalo chicken slice had me sold by the first bite. It’s not gourmet, and it’s definitely not the best pizza I’ve ever had, but Monster Pizza is original in price, taste and decor.
Cheap pizza by the slice is the main offering Monster Pizza brings to the strip, but that’s not all this new dive has on the menu. Along the same line of cheap, convenient food, the pizza dive sells three corn dogs for $5 and a one topping pizza and a pitcher of PBR for $16.
However, if you’re feel like splurging, Monster Pizza also offers gourmet pies for anywhere from $15 to $17, including the lemon basil (which I definitely plan on getting next time) with an olive oil and garlic base, fresh mozzarella, lemons, spinach and basil.
After polishing off my three slices, my friends and I engaged in an impromptu Mortal Combat arcade tournament, courtesy of Monster Pizza (no quarters required). The employees chimed in with hints on special moves and watched from behind the counter as we struggled to master the dated video game.
At the end of the night, I walked out with another slice of pizza to go and some change from my $10 that started the night. If you’re looking for a beyond casual atmosphere and cheap good times, Monster Pizza is your place. If you’re looking for a first date spot or a health conscious meal, you might want to keep on walking.
New restaurant brings “scary cheap” pizza to the Strip.
